U.S. patent application number 13/670721 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-21 for capacitive touchscreens for thermostats.
This patent application is currently assigned to Emerson Electric Co.. The applicant listed for this patent is EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.. Invention is credited to Lihui Tu.
Application Number | 20130310985 13/670721 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49581963 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130310985 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tu; Lihui |
November 21, 2013 |
Capacitive Touchscreens for Thermostats
Abstract
Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of touchscreen devices for
thermostats and other electronic devices. In an exemplary
embodiment, a capacitive touchscreen device includes a touchscreen
having touch regions. Each touch region is coupled with at least
one first capacitor and at least one second capacitor. The second
capacitors are connected in parallel and have smaller capacitance
than the first capacitors. The capacitive touchscreen device may be
configured to be operable in a standby mode in which the second
capacitors are charged and an active mode in which the first
capacitors are charged.
Inventors: |
Tu; Lihui; (Xi'an,
CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
EMERSON ELECTRIC CO. |
St. Louis |
MO |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Emerson Electric Co.
St. Louis
MO
|
Family ID: |
49581963 |
Appl. No.: |
13/670721 |
Filed: |
November 7, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
700/276 ;
345/174 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H03K 17/962 20130101;
G06F 1/3231 20130101; G05D 23/00 20130101; G06F 1/3262 20130101;
G06F 3/0445 20190501; G06F 3/04166 20190501; Y02D 10/00
20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
700/276 ;
345/174 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/044 20060101
G06F003/044; G05D 23/00 20060101 G05D023/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 18, 2012 |
CN |
201210156832.3 |
Claims
1. A capacitive touchscreen device comprising: a plurality of first
capacitors; a plurality of second capacitors connected in parallel
and having smaller capacitance than the first capacitors; and a
touchscreen including a plurality of touch regions, each said touch
region being coupled with at least one of the first capacitors and
at least one of the second capacitors; whereby the capacitive
touchscreen device is configured to be operable in a standby mode
in which the second capacitors are charged and to switch to an
active mode in which the first capacitors are charged in response
to a detection of a change in capacitance of one or more of the
second capacitors.
2. The capacitive touchscreen device of claim 1, wherein the
capacitive touchscreen device is configured to switch from the
standby mode in which the first capacitors are not charged to the
active mode in response to a detection of a change in capacitance
of one or more of the second capacitors caused when a user touches
one or more of the touch regions, and wherein in the active mode
the first capacitors are charged to allow the touch regions to be
used for user input.
3. The capacitive touchscreen device of claim 1, wherein: the touch
regions are mutually isolated; and/or the first and second
capacitors of each touch region are not shared by the other touch
regions.
4. The capacitive touchscreen device of claim 1, further comprising
a controller configured to scan for a capacitive change in the
first capacitors after the first capacitors have been charged in
response to detection of a change in capacitance of one or more of
the second capacitors.
5. The capacitive touchscreen device of claim 4, wherein: the
second capacitors have a common input port to the controller; and
each of the first capacitors has a unique input port to the
controller.
6. The capacitive touchscreen device of claim 4, wherein the
controller is configured to detect a capacitive change in the one
or more of the second capacitors when a user touches one or more of
the touch regions.
7. The capacitive touchscreen device of claim 6, wherein: the
controller is configured to detect a capacitive change of 5
picofarads or more; and/or the first capacitors have a capacitance
from 60 picofarads to 200 picofarads; and/or the second capacitors
have a capacitance from 10 picofarads to 60 picofarads.
8. The capacitive touchscreen device of claim 1, further comprising
a plurality of third capacitors coupled to areas on the touchscreen
different than the touch regions, the third capacitors having
smaller capacitance than the first capacitors.
9. The capacitive touchscreen device of claim 8, wherein the
capacitive touchscreen device is configured such that: when the
capacitive touchscreen device is in the standby mode, the first
capacitors are not charged while the second and third capacitors
are charged for allowing detection that a user has touched the
touchscreen; the first capacitors are charged when the capacitive
touchscreen device is in the active mode, for allowing the touch
regions to be used for user input; and the capacitive touchscreen
device switches from the standby mode to the active mode in
response to detection of a change in capacitance of any one or more
of the second and third capacitors caused when a user touches an
area on the touchscreen coupled to the one or more second and third
capacitors.
10. The capacitive touchscreen device of claim 9, wherein the
second and third capacitors are configured such that there is
detectable change in capacitance for switching the capacitive
touchscreen device switches from the standby mode to the active
mode when a user touches anywhere on the touchscreen.
11. The capacitive touchscreen device of claim 1, wherein each
touch region is coupled with only one of said first capacitors and
only one of said second capacitors.
12. The capacitive touchscreen device of claim 1, wherein the
capacitive touchscreen device includes a two layer Indium Titanium
Oxide (ITO) panel.
13. A thermostat comprising the capacitive touchscreen device of
claim 1.
14. A controller for a heating ventilation and air conditioning
(HVAC) system, the controller including the capacitive touchscreen
device of claim 1.
15. A method for operating a capacitive touchscreen device
including a touchscreen having a plurality of touch regions, each
said touch region being coupled with at least one of a plurality of
first capacitors and at least one of a plurality of second
capacitors having smaller capacitance than the first capacitors,
the method comprising: charging the second capacitors when the
capacitive touchscreen device is in a standby mode; charging the
first capacitors when the capacitive touchscreen device is in an
active mode; and switching the capacitive touchscreen device from
the standby mode to the active mode in response to detection of a
change in capacitance of one or more of the second capacitors.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the method includes switching
from the standby mode in which the first capacitors are not charged
to the active mode in which the first capacitors are charged to
allow the touch regions to be used for user input, in response to a
detection of a change in capacitance of one or more of the second
capacitors caused when a user touches one or more of the touch
regions.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the method includes charging
the second capacitors without charging the first capacitors when
the capacitive touch-screen device is in the standby mode, such
that the first capacitors are not charged until detection of a
change in capacitance of one or more of the second capacitors.
18. The method of claim 15, further comprising charging a plurality
of third capacitors coupled to areas on the touchscreen different
than the touch regions, the third capacitors having smaller
capacitance than the first capacitors; and charging the first
capacitors in response to detection of a change in capacitance of
any one or more of the second and third capacitors.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the second and third capacitors
are configured such that there is a detectable change in
capacitance when a user touches anywhere on the touchscreen.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the method includes: charging
the second and third capacitors without charging the first
capacitors when the capacitive touchscreen device is in the standby
mode, such that the first capacitors are not charged until
detection of a change in capacitance of any one or more of the
second and third capacitors; and switching from the standby mode in
which the first capacitors are not charged to the active mode in
which the first capacitors are charged to allow the touch regions
to be used for user input, in response to a detection of a change
in capacitance of any one or more of the second and third
capacitors.
21. The method of claim 15, further comprising: scanning for a
capacitive change in the first capacitors; and/or receiving a key
code associated with a first capacitor that has a capacitive
change.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit and priority of Chinese
Patent of Invention Application No. 201210156832.3, filed May 18,
2012. The entire disclosure of the above application is
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to capacitive touchscreens
for thermostats.
BACKGROUND
[0003] This section provides background information related to the
present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
[0004] Traditionally, battery-powered thermostats have included
mechanical push buttons for operating the thermostat. But in many
of today's electronic devices, touchscreen technology has become
very popular. For example, many of today's electronic devices
include capacitive touchscreens built into the display itself,
giving the user very bright and crisp graphics, as they are very
often used with dot matrix type displays.
SUMMARY
[0005] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure,
and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of
its features.
[0006] Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of touchscreen devices
for thermostats and other electronic devices. In an exemplary
embodiment, a capacitive touchscreen device includes a touchscreen
having touch regions. Each touch region is coupled with at least
one first capacitor and at least one second capacitor. The second
capacitors are connected in parallel and have smaller capacitance
than the first capacitors. The capacitive touchscreen device may be
configured to be operable in a standby mode in which the second
capacitors are charged and an active mode in which the first
capacitors are charged.
[0007] Another exemplary embodiment provides a method for operating
a capacitive touchscreen device that includes a touchscreen having
a plurality of touch regions. Each touch region is coupled with at
least one first capacitor and at least one second capacitor having
a smaller capacitance than the first capacitor. This exemplary
method includes charging the second capacitors when the capacitive
touchscreen device is in a standby mode and charging the first
capacitors when the capacitive touchscreen device is in an active
mode. The method may also include switching the capacitive
touchscreen device from the standby mode to the active mode in
response to detection of a change in capacitance of one or more of
the second capacitors.
[0008] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. The description and specific examples
in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and
are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0009] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes
only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations,
and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a thermostat
with a touchscreen according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a two layer Indium Titanium Oxide (ITO)
panel for a touchscreen according to an exemplary embodiment;
and
[0012] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a basic operating
process of a capacitive touchscreen according to an exemplary
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0014] With conventional capacitive touchscreens, each section or
touch region of the display is made up of a capacitive area, which
is charged to a given voltage, and is discharged when a user
touches the region. The inventor hereof has recognized that a
robust power supply method is needed to charge each touch region on
the display to a given voltage, to maintain that voltage, and then
recharge the area after a user discharges it. While this is not an
issue when the device is line powered in some fashion, the inventor
hereof has further recognized that in electronic devices which are
battery powered and employ a capacitive touchscreen, some measure
of consideration must be given to power management.
[0015] Accordingly, the inventor discloses herein exemplary
embodiments that help address the need for power management in
battery powered devices (e.g., thermostats or other HVAC
controllers, etc.) employing capacitive touchscreens, by having two
capacitive areas per touch region or button. As disclosed herein,
an exemplary embodiment includes an energy saving two layer (e.g.,
Indium titanium oxide (ITO), etc.) capacitive touchscreen with a
liquid crystal display (LCD). The touchscreen includes a plurality
of small capacitance capacitors in parallel with one another. One
of the small capacitance capacitors (broadly, second capacitors)
and a large capacitance capacitor are within each of one or more
touch regions, areas, or buttons on the touchscreen. A controller
is configured such that upon the change in capacitance of one or
more of the small capacitance capacitors, the controller scans for
a change in the capacitance of one of the large capacitance
capacitors (broadly, first capacitors).
[0016] By way of example only, the small capacitance capacitors may
have a capacitance within a range from about 10 picofarads to about
60 picofarads, while the large capacitance capacitors may have a
capacitance within a range from about 60 picofarads to about 200
picofarads. By way of further example, the controller may be
configured to detect whenever there is a change in capacitance of 5
picofarads (pF) or more, etc.
[0017] In addition to the small and large capacitance capacitors of
the touch regions or buttons, exemplary embodiments may also
include additional small capacitance capacitors (broadly, third
capacitors) configured (e.g., coupled to, distributed or disposed
about, etc.) other areas on the touchscreen, which areas are
different or outside the touch regions or buttons. For example, a
plurality of additional small capacitance capacitors may be
arranged along the touchscreen so that a user may wake up the
device (switch the device from a standby or sleep mode to an active
or awake mode for user input) by touching anywhere on the
touchscreen, including not only the touch regions or buttons having
the small and large capacitors but also any other area on the
touchscreen.
[0018] With reference now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates an
exemplary embodiment of a thermostat 10 with a touchscreen 20 as a
display device. The touchscreen 20 displays a plurality of
user-interactive switches 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48
arranged on the surface of the touchscreen 20. In addition, the
touchscreen 20 can display a plurality of user interface icons (not
shown in FIG. 1) on the surface.
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a panel for a
touchscreen embodying one or more aspects of the present
disclosure. As disclosed herein, the panel may help address the
need for power management in a battery powered device 110 employing
a capacitive touchscreen 120, such as thermostats (e.g., thermostat
10 shown in FIG. 1, etc.), other heating ventilation and air
conditioning (HVAC) controllers, among other devices employing a
capacitive touchscreen 120.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, this exemplary embodiment includes two
capacitive areas per touch region or button 130 (e.g., defined key
areas, etc.). Each touch region or button 130 is mutually isolated
from the others. For each touch region or button 130, one of its
two capacitive areas is coupled with a first or large capacitor 140
and is connected to a unique input port 160 (e.g., see C2, C3, . .
. C.sub.n in FIG. 2) to the microprocessor 180. The large capacitor
140 is discharged by the user in interacting with the device 110,
e.g., when the user touches the touch region or button 130 having
that large capacitor 140. The large capacitive value helps to
ensure that the touch by the user is interpreted correctly by the
microprocessor or microcontroller 180 as a specific input. The
touch region's other capacitive area is coupled with a second or
small capacitor 150 that is much smaller than the large capacitor
140, and is connected in parallel with several other smaller
capacitive areas to a common input 170 (e.g., see C1 in FIG. 2) on
the microprocessor 180.
[0021] The voltage required to maintain the charge on these smaller
capacitive areas (e.g., 1.5 volts, etc.) is much less than the
total voltage (e.g., 5 volts, etc.) required to maintain the charge
on the larger capacitive areas and smaller capacitive areas. To
conserve battery life in the device, the large capacitive areas may
thus only be charged when the device is being used (e.g., being
programmed by a user, etc.), or in the case of a thermostat, such
as when the user is making changes to the temperature set point or
changing the heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system
setting (e.g., from heat to cool, from cool to heat, from off to
on, or from on to off).
[0022] During the rest of time the touchscreen or panel 120 is in a
standby mode. In the standby mode, only the smaller capacitive
areas are charged for the purpose of detecting that the screen 120
is touched. But the microprocessor 180 does not detect which
specific region or area of the touchscreen 120 is touched. Once the
microprocessor or microcontroller 180 receives the signal when the
touchscreen 120 is touched, the microprocessor 180 then wakes up
and causes the large capacitive areas to be charged so that the
large capacitive areas can generate an input by the user.
[0023] In this exemplary manner, the life of the battery(ies) for
powering the device 110 can be greatly extended by not charging the
large capacitors 140 continuously, but only when a screen touch is
detected. In addition to only utilizing the smaller capacitive
areas during the inactive period, the microprocessor or
microcontroller 180 may also turn off the backlight or additionally
deactivate the display itself to further conserve energy and
therefore battery life.
[0024] Accordingly, this exemplary embodiment thus provides an
energy saving two-layer capacitive touchscreen 120. The touchscreen
120 includes the plurality of small capacitive capacitors 150
connected in parallel with one another. One of the small capacitive
capacitors 150 and a large capacitive capacitor 140 are within each
of touch regions or buttons 130 on the touchscreen 120.
Accordingly, the touch regions or buttons 130 are mutually isolated
from each other as the large and small capacitors 140, 150 of each
touch region or button 130 are not shared by the other touch
regions or buttons 130. A microcontroller 180 is configured such
that upon the capacitive change in one or more of the small
capacitive capacitors 150, the microcontroller 180 scans for a
capacitive change in one of the large capacitive capacitors
140.
[0025] An exemplary embodiment provides a method of saving energy
by scanning only one capacitive sense pin or sensor. Indium
titanium oxide (ITO) is used to design a large capacitor 140 and a
small capacitor 150 for each touch region or button 130. The large
capacitor 140 and the small capacitor 150 are very close to each
other, e.g., within each of the touch regions or buttons 130 on the
touchscreen 120. When a user touches any touch region or button
130, the microcontroller 180 wakes up (switches the device from a
standby or sleep mode to an active or awake mode for user input)
because of the capacitive change of the small capacitor 150. Then,
the microcontroller 180 scans all the capacitive sensors for the
capacitive change in one of the large capacitors 140, in order to
obtain a key code associated with the capacitive change of the
large capacitive capacitor 140.
[0026] In addition to the large and small capacitance capacitors
140, 150 within the touch regions or buttons 130, FIG. 2 also
illustrates additional small capacitance capacitors 190 distributed
or disposed about other areas of the touchscreen 120 outside the
touch regions or buttons 130. For example, there are also plurality
of additional small capacitance capacitors 190 connected in
parallel and disposed above the touch regions or buttons 130.
Additional small capacitance capacitors 190 are also connected in
parallel and provided below the touch regions or buttons 130.
Preferably, the additional small capacitors 190 are arranged along
the touchscreen 120 so that a user may wake up the device by
touching anywhere on the touchscreen 120, including not only the
touch regions or buttons 130 having the large and small capacitors
140, 150, but also any other place or area on the touchscreen 120.
Accordingly, a user may also wake up the device by touching the
touchscreen 120 to cause a capacitive change in one or more
additional small capacitance capacitors 190.
[0027] In some exemplary embodiments, the small capacitors 150, 190
may remain charged while the device in the active mode. In other
exemplary embodiments, the device may be configured such that the
small capacitors 150, 190 are not charged but only the large
capacitors 140 are charged when the device is in the active mode,
which, in turn, may allow further reductions in energy
consumption.
[0028] By way of example only, the small capacitance capacitors
150, 190 may have a capacitance within a range from about 10
picofarads to about 60 picofarads. The large capacitance capacitors
140 may have a capacitance within a range from about 60 picofarads
to about 200 picofarads. By way of further example, the
microcontroller 180 may be configured to detect whenever there is
change in capacitance in a capacitor of 5 picofarads (pF) or more,
etc. These particular values and particular ranges of values are
provided as examples only, as alternative embodiments may have
larger or smaller capacitance capacitors and/or be configured to
detect different changes in capacitance.
[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates a basic operating process of a battery
powered device with a capacitive touchscreen according to an
exemplary embodiment. Initially, only the small capacitors
connected in parallel are charged at step 200. Thus, the system is
maintained in a standby mode at step 210 when the system is not in
use. When a user touches any one of the touch buttons or regions at
step 220, one or more of the small capacitors that are coupled with
the buttons or regions touched by the user are discharged at step
230. As the small capacitors are discharged, the controller detects
the capacitive change in one or more of the small capacitors at
step 240, and instructs the large capacitors to be charged at step
250. Then, the microcontroller scans any capacitive change in each
of the large capacitors to determine which touch button is in use
at step 260. The microcontroller then receives a key code
associated with each of the large capacitors that experiences the
capacitive change at step 270.
[0030] Advantageously, exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein
that may thus save energy consumption by charging only the small
capacitance capacitors in standby mode, which are used as the
sensor or wake-up button for the microcontroller. Additionally, the
location of the wake-up button is not fixed and may advantageously
be placed in any or all regions in the touchscreen in exemplary
embodiments.
[0031] Various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are
described with reference to thermostats. Other or additional
configurations are also possible in relation to other devices,
controllers, controls, and control systems other than thermostats.
The power management systems, methods, and schemes disclosed herein
may be used with devices having touchscreens besides just
thermostats, which other devices may be battery-powered and/or
powered by electrical wiring.
[0032] In addition, exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein of
thermostats having indium tin oxide (ITO) capacitive touchscreens
with liquid crystal displays (LCDs). But other exemplary
embodiments may include thermostats or other devices having
differently configured touchscreens, such as touchscreens formed
with other materials, etc.
[0033] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure
will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are
skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as
examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a
thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details
need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in
many different forms (e.g., different materials other than Indium
tin oxide, etc.), and that neither should be construed to limit the
scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known
processes, well-known device structures, and well-known
technologies are not described in detail. In addition, advantages
and improvements that may be achieved with one or more exemplary
embodiments of the present disclosure are provided for purpose of
illustration only and do not limit the scope of the present
disclosure, as exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may provide
all or none of the above mentioned advantages and improvements and
still fall within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0034] Specific dimensions, specific materials, and/or specific
shapes disclosed herein are example in nature and do not limit the
scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure herein of
particular values and particular ranges of values for given
parameters are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values
that may be useful in one or more of the examples disclosed herein.
Moreover, it is envisioned that any two particular values for a
specific parameter stated herein may define the endpoints of a
range of values that may be suitable for the given parameter (i.e.,
the disclosure of a first value and a second value for a given
parameter can be interpreted as disclosing that any value between
the first and second values could also be employed for the given
parameter). Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or
more ranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are
nested, overlapping or distinct) subsume all possible combination
of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of
the disclosed ranges.
[0035] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be
limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the"
may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises,"
"comprising," "including," and "having," are inclusive and
therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,
operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the
presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The
method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to
be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the
particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically
identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood
that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
[0036] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on",
"engaged to", "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or
layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the
other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be
present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being
"directly on," "directly engaged to", "directly connected to" or
"directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no
intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to
describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in
a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between,"
"adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the
term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of
the associated listed items. The term "about" when applied to
values indicates that the calculation or the measurement allows
some slight imprecision in the value (with some approach to
exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the
value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by
"about" is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary
meaning, then "about" as used herein indicates at least variations
that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or using such
parameters. For example, the terms "generally", "about", and
"substantially" may be used herein to mean within manufacturing
tolerances.
[0037] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used
herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers
and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or
sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be
only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or
section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as
"first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do
not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the
context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section
discussed below could be termed a second element, component,
region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of
the example embodiments.
[0038] Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer,"
"beneath", "below", "lower", "above", "upper" and the like, may be
used herein for ease of description to describe one element or
feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as
illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be
intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use
or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the
figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over,
elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or
features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or
features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an
orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise
oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the
spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted
accordingly.
[0039] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been
provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual
elements, intended or stated uses, or features of a particular
embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment,
but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a
selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.
The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not
to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such
modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the
disclosure.
* * * * *